Camilla Morton

NY JOURNAL REVIEW

2011-11-09T15:35:00.002Z

AMAZING review on Manolo and the Elves in the NY Journal:
“Manolo Blahnik and the Tale of the Elves and the Shoemaker is truly a jewel for anyone with even a fleeting interest in the fashion business—or for those who still believe in the plausibility of fairy tales.”
In the second of a series, Ms. Morton has reimagined the life story of Manolo Blahnik in the form of a fairy tale as she did with the life of Christian Lacroix [Christian Lacroix and the Tale of Sleeping Beauty: A Fashion Fairy Tale Memoir, also reviewed in nyjb].
In this delightful and enchanting telling, Mr. Blahnik’s life is paralleled and intertwined with the lives of a cobbler (the elves and the shoemaker), his wife, and their tale of good fortune after being faced with disaster.
Once again, Ms. Morton creates a fairy tale that is appropriate for children of all ages from the very young to the most seasoned of adults—it would be difficult for the most weathered of fashionistas not to smile and grin in the process. The method she utilizes to incorporate the facts with fiction provides us with entertainment as well as with a chronicle of Mr. Blahnik’s real life.
Who can resist the story of the cobbler and his wife faced with financial ruin when, miraculously, the elves appear during the night to create the shoes that will lead the couple to immeasurable success. The ensuing tale is a wonderfully crafted classic plot of from rags to riches meshed with the life of one of this century’s great talents.
This little treasure of a book is fully illustrated with watercolors and drawings by Mr. Blahnik that enhance the storyline to full effect. The images play to the real life fantasy that defines the design, indeed comprises the DNA, of Manolo Blahnik shoes.
Manolo Blahnik and the Tale of the Elves and the Shoemaker is truly a jewel for anyone with even a fleeting interest in the fashion business—or for those who still believe in the plausibility of fairy tales.
Do not miss the chance to make someone smile or enchant a child this holiday season, gifting them a tale unique enough to be passed on as a family heirloom to generations to come.
Reviewer Jeffrey Felner is a columnist in The Examiner and Woman 2 Woman Magazine: Fashion by the Rules, and continues a long and successful career in jewelry and fashion design and merchandising.

SORRY ITS BEEN A WHILE!

2011-11-09T02:07:00.002Z

Been a busy year of fairytale writing - my NEW book Manolo Blahnik and the Tale of the Elves and the Shoemaker is OUT in the US NOW - and OUT in the UK end of the month!
Take a look at my two first reviews on the website - and check back here for some of the best reviews...

2011-01-19T23:42:00.001Z

WOW my friend just sent me this LOVELY review!!
http://mscrapbook.wordpress.com/2011/01/07/inspiration-christian-lacroix-and-the-tale-of-sleeping-beauty-camilla-morton-christian-lacroix/

Follow me on Facebook (Look for the cover, type How to Walk in High Heels!) will up load images!

2011-01-19T23:41:00.001Z

2011-01-19T23:38:00.001Z

American VOGUE is out - and it looks BEAUTIFUL!!!
GO OUT and GET February ISSUE! xx

Happily Ever After!!

2011-01-01T13:03:00.003Z

Happy New Year - sorry not updated the blog in ages I have been BUSY finishing my new book - ONE MONTH TODAY till it publishes in the US (End Feb in UK)!!!!
Its not a How to or a list of resolutions - its about magic stories, with magic people... Fashion isn't just about clothes, its the people that create it that are the stories I want to tell so I have created a series of Fashion Fairytales, and it starts with the Once Upon a Time of Christian Lacroix...

Another September Issue

2010-08-05T10:18:00.003+01:00

Just read this funny article today - a 70 year old academic reviews the September issue of British VOGUE. Priceless. Its good to keep eyes in and out of a fashion bubble! PLUS it reminds me its time to re-watch RJ Cutler's Doc.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/fashion/7925089/Vogue-The-September-Issue.html

UPPER STREET WEBSITE

2010-08-03T10:36:00.001+01:00

OK I don't know how to do links on my blog yet but go and design your own shoe - its addictive:

http://www.upperstreet.com/shoedesigner/flash_shoe_designer.php

Want to win the chance to design your very own unique pair of heels?

2010-08-03T09:56:00.000+01:00

I just read about this on my Facebook page and thought I would have a go...

A company called Upper Street is running a design competition throughout August to find the best new Upper Street design for Autumn / Winter 2010... What they are doing that is different is they are asking for entries to be posted online....

Everyone who enters will get an exclusive 10% discount on their next pair of Upper Street shoes, and the winning designer will get their design created for them.

So here's the blurb - Your design could be anything from the perfect pair of glamorous heels for the party season, a foxy pair of courts to take you from the office straight to the bar after work, or a funky pair of look at me shoes for a night out with the girls. It’s up to you!

So what do you need to do? How do you enter?
First design your shoe on their website in our 3D design studio then save it to My Collection (you’ll need to register). Next, use the Send To A Friend button to send it to iloveshoes@upperstreet.com, telling us more about your inspiration for the design and when the shoes would be worn.

The closing date for submissions is Friday 20th August.

They will then shortlist 20 of the designs on our Facebook page on Monday 23rd August – and the one that gets the most ‘likes’ by the end of August 2010 will be judged the winner.

Perfect to beat the pre Fall collection deliveries!

THE TRULY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR

2010-08-02T23:50:00.000+01:00

I read this article in METRO on the tube the other day about this lady who has created a blog to show all the foods and dishes she has invented to inspire her daughter to eat...
Her daughter and me...
Why did food never look / taste this exciting when I was younger?!
I want to try out the pirate sandwich or mango pineapple NOW!
Lets hope it gets snapped up and turned into a BOOK - take a look and see

http://littlefoodjunction.blogspot.com/2010/02/with-love-3-valentines-day-is-most.html

Facebook How To Walk in High Heels - be my friend!

2010-07-29T22:57:00.001+01:00

Follow me on Facebook!

2010-07-29T22:55:00.000+01:00

Find me and follow - I am going to start posting previews of my new book here soon!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/How-To-Walk-In-High-Heels/80591816715?ref=ts#!/pages/How-To-Walk-In-High-Heels/80591816715?v=wall&ref=ts

PACKING

2010-07-29T12:30:00.001+01:00

Why is August so busy? I thought this was meant to be the CALM month? NO such luck - but have posted some images from Port Eliot

2010-07-29T12:24:00.000+01:00

MY BLOG FOR BROWNS!!

2010-07-29T12:20:00.000+01:00

http://weblog.brownsfashion.com/2010/07/fashion-writer-and-novelist-camilla_28.html

2010-07-29T12:16:00.000+01:00

here are Sarah Williams Bags - I have no clue how to make images big - maybe look on vogue.co.uk for better size...

http://www.vogue.co.uk/news/daily/100719-itsnine-2010-talent-competition/gallery.aspx

SARAH WILLIAMS BAGS ARE AMAZING!!!!!!

2010-07-29T12:11:00.002+01:00

MY ITS REVIEW ON VOGUE.CO.UK

2010-07-29T12:11:00.001+01:00

http://www.vogue.co.uk/news/daily/100719-itsnine-2010-talent-competition.aspx

ITS TALENT - ITS NINE AND BEST OF BRITISH!

2010-07-29T12:08:00.001+01:00

ITS# 9

Now celebrating its 9^th year ‘ITS’ is an International Talent Support competition, supported by Diesel, that brings young fashion hopefuls together in the enchanted city of Trieste, Italy. This is a fashion competition that reminds you what is important in fashion – energy, commitment and passion over ego. And where better to look than the graduates?

“Historically exceptional craftsmanship was the norm and now it is the exception,” read the opening lines on one portfolio. But with over 7363 applications, from over 880 fashion schools, with past winner including Mark Fast, this is the competition to prove this theory wrong. The finalists of twelve fashion design students, six from English colleges, plus a group for accessories designers, with an impressive eight out of ten from English courses. The students had to present their work to a jury, which included Viktor and Rolf, before the winners were announced at a showcase along the seafront.

“This is how I find new talent,” says Diesel’s CEO Renzo Russo, who has been involved since the beginning, “ITS is so important for the future and to find the future - fashion cannot exist without fresh, new talent and ideas.”

Courtney McWilliams, Martina Spetlova and Astrid Andersen’s spin on the hip hop meets matador showed why British Fashion Designers, and their schools, are the envy of the world. But this year accessory design stole the show. London College of Fashion dominated the finals, under the tutelage of designer-turned-Professor Dai Rees as heels, headpieces and luggage were produced, and accompanied with slick sketchbooks explaining everything from their concept to their costings. The quote that had lamented the decline in craftsmanship proved to be exception herself. Sarah William’s collection of classic luggage pieces made the humble Globetrotter look as if Salvador Dali had revamped Longchamp or Smythson – as she should be. Williams picked up the Absolut, as well as the ITS Accessories Collection of the Year Award, while Japan’s Takashi Nishiyama, Viktor and Rolf’s favourite, won ITS Fashion Collection of the year and showed a taste of a global, bright, future face of fashion.

For more information on winners, or to enter the ITS 10 celebration, log onto: www.itsweb.org

MAE WEST WASN'T IT...

2010-07-29T12:06:00.000+01:00

Who said good girls keep diaries.... bad girls don't have time.... Hmmm.....

What Have I been DOING?

I am going to make it up to you NOW!

I have been to PARIS to DIOR COUTURE, TRIESTE to ITS TALENT FASHION SHOW, VENICE for inspiration and PORT ELIOT for a FLOWER SHOW....

Where have you been?!

2010-05-07T22:48:00.000+01:00

Getting ready for trip to Shanghai! But for some home grown talent check out the new blog:

londonfashionspeaks.blogspot and follow this. This is going to feature and find the new emerging London Talent...

GALLIANO SHOE...

2010-02-13T16:16:00.000Z

Who needs Valentines when you can step the light fandango in this??

NEW YORK KICKS OFF WITH A CLOUD

2010-02-13T00:02:00.001Z

A McQueen cloud, nothing to do with the Blizzard... but I wonder with all these live streams and online activities will the designers streamline the lingers, groupies, hangers on and irrelevant that clutter up their shows? Now everyone is a critic, everyone a blogger, everyone it seems can have an opinion, but not everyone can cut it - lets see how the talented survive

Piece of Lee

2010-02-12T23:56:00.000Z

It was a scrum as I walked through selfridges today... everyone wanted a scarf, a token, a piece of McQueen... The tills were red hot. Every now and then a show, a moment, a memory of fashion moments past would pop into my head. As well as the shocking there was the sublime. Those that experienced one of his early London shows will never forget them... this was when he had everything to prove and nothing to loose, and perhaps then was when his imagination soared to new heights and took London with it. The scarves might be all but sold out... but Shalom getting sprayed in the mental asylum, the ice skaters, the unexpected and the beauty that came with it that was a real fashion moment - something very rare in these times.

ALEXANDER MCQUEEN RIP

2010-02-11T16:30:00.000Z

Just read the tragic news about McQueen. He was a true original. A true creative. A show that you could always rely on to blow you away. I remember climbing over fences, hiding behind trucks, and planning for an entire day to get into his early shows in London. He set models up smouldering lava lined runways, had them skating, dancing, always something new and unexpected.

He has left an irreplaceable gap in the fashion world.

Too many shows to choose from, but I am sure so many ideas were still to come.... Such a loss

2010-01-19T00:41:00.001Z

Its a full time job doing a blog - I don't know how other people do it....

Golden Globes:

Jennifer Aniston

Emily Blunt

Drew Barrymore

and of course Marion Cotillard in Dior

2010-01-14T23:04:00.000Z

Wish I could say more.... I am in a Dior bliss bubble. Didn't even mind that the train was late.

Spencer Tracey said 'I don't want to go to heaven I want to go to Claridges'. I agree - but could we first go via Dior?

2010-01-14T23:03:00.000Z

Just returned from day trip to Paris.

Chic, sassy, sexy sexy. Can't wait for couture!!!

I love John

2010-01-13T18:58:00.000Z

God Save McQueen!

Some shoes are too cool to be stored - and too tricky for snow... but these bring out the best in a Brit

2010-01-11T23:48:00.000Z

For a really lovely blog go onto Fifi Lapin's blog - this chic little bunny rabbit has the ears and eyes to pick up some of my favourite fashion labels - and the illustrations are gorgeous - check out the shoes!!!

2010-01-11T13:11:00.000Z

This is going to be A YEAR IN HIGH HEELS... well OK maybe not EVERY DAY in HIGH HEELS (errr... snow!) but I am going to blog from a footseye view... so no way could I start this in anything other than a Manolo...

2010-01-11T09:07:00.001Z

Snow played havoc with my footwear - but also with everyone being back at work it was a whirlwind so impossible to stick with new years resolutions.

Three new pairs of shoes later we are going to try again with more resolve this week.

I will also finish the final part of the new book.... more later

2010-01-06T09:17:00.000Z

I met a jewellery designer before Christmas... I was wondering up the road to buy a paper, and the latest issue of Grazia, when I spied a Pop Up Shop right in my path... I looked in the window to see Daisy Knights Jewellery. Feathers, Butterflies, and collections based on her friends and what they inspire (Michelle, Ameila, Lulu, Rosie Petal, Molly some of my favourites). Tallulah Harlech inspired a collection of chunky rebel rings, the feathers looked like angels wings, and the staking rings were affordable enough to pile up... Oh dear...

Have a look on her website, she is a new name, but I think she will be in all the best locations, and on all the best fingers... www.daisyknights.com

2010-01-06T09:13:00.001Z

That went well, the old 'I will blog every day' mantra... The thing is the 'back to work' thing threw more chaos at my desk than the snow did to the rest of the UK...

It is not the weather for my Manolos as Dancing on Ice seems to have hit the pavements. My beaten up Dior biker boots, and Anna Sui Fit Flops, seem to be coping with the weather, but not sure how they will fair should the weather get any wilder.

Meant to deliver first draft of new book this week... and still not worked out how to upload a photo yet. Never mind, took down the tree (Twelfth Night Rule) that was decorated in High Heels and tinsel. Have a lovely day...

2010-01-04T11:26:00.000Z

New Year and really high time I got this blog thing under control....

My friend Kate got a copy of my book before Christmas, Polish edition, so clicked on my blog to see what I did... Sorry. It is my resolve to try harder this year. It has only taken me a week to work out *and reset my password.... and to upload pictures we could be waiting till summer.

I was thinking about doing A YEAR IN HIGH STREET - due to the Zara wedges and warm winter puffalot coat I have been wearing... but already the January Sales tempted me back to the dark side with Tabitha Simmons... now must go earn my keep.

2009-05-11T22:59:00.000+01:00

Guy Bourdin Exhibition opened at the weekend at The Wapping Project.

If you can't get to the MET its good to see that London is finding ways to show muses in a grittier sexier form

2009-05-11T22:57:00.000+01:00

So much has happened since we were last in contact... Where to start?

The MET Ball - and how loyalty proved to be the hottest label of the night. Forget who was on the red carpet it was all about who was not.

An exhibition about muses and Supermodels and NO Naomi? NO Linda? NO Christy? NO Stephanie Seymour? The reason? NO Alaia! Mr. Alaia was said to be so miffed that he was no part of the exhibition in the way he should be he asked the girls that he has been so loyal to, and was likely to be dressing not to go.

And they agreed.

That for me was the highlight.

2009-04-22T15:35:00.000+01:00

I wonder should I blog backwards or forwards?

In a past life I used to blog for Vogue.co.uk and write the show reviews for them. When they asked me to do a blog I had to google the word before I replied (and agreed). Now they have several guest musings... but I wonder if, like in relationships, background reading is required, or if indeed it is time to turn over a new leaf.

I am still baffled that I didn't leave with anything from the Barbara Hulanicki Topshop event. Its true Posh and I couldn't work out where to go, let alone where to pay, but I was surprised by this rare show of restraint. I hope I haven't lost the fashion mojo. Heady doses of vintage is required me thinks. Am feeling an inappropriate gold wedge, Acne Tux dress and rim of black eye liner - even if I am only going to drop off the dry cleaning.

2009-04-22T15:30:00.000+01:00

Getting to the post office, getting to the cobblers, getting to Browns Open day and then to the South bank my to do list of the day.

Its nice and sunny out of my window and I am starting to contact the contributors for the next book series (especially as it is the London Book Fair and my publisher from the US is in town).

Truman Capote wrote 'writing is hard, and you get depressed'. There is a stage when you are depressed, not there yet. I am at the spring clean the house and do every odd job and distractable distraction before you settle down stage.

No wonder this Bubble wrap is my screen saver... and its eco friendly too I guess....

http://www.virtual-bubblewrap.com/bubble-wrap.swf

Must put the glad rags on in an hour and head up to Browns. Browns is the only press day I am going to this year. I don't like making false promises, and I always seem to get caught agreeing to write an article, interview an unknown, or run a marathon if I am not careful... But Browns, well they had me on the opening credits...

2009-04-21T23:19:00.000+01:00

Ignoring all my deadlines I trawled through my in-box.... press days after press days after more hateful hours away from my computer press days.... but here is the BEST invite ever....

http://web.me.com/charlie.inman/Browns/Browns.html

I'll be beating off the shoulder pads to get there...

2009-04-21T21:43:00.000+01:00

Today I had lunch with Mrs. B - if fashion has a Fairy Godmother it is she. We went to Sotheby's Cafe and over treacle tart it really did seem possible that the world could be put to rights. As usual I got seduced back to Browns after lunch and even after dessert still slipped into an Acne skirt, and dress, and good gracious there were the Manolos I bought mid 'I am going to a wedding tonight' panic. Credit Crunch is all a matter of opinion. If you live in a world of fashion make believe you can simply live happily ever after and float home via the Barbara Hulanicki for Topshop preview. Her iconic illustrations were on vest tops, mini mini dresses and silk scarves and held in Millers I imagine the scramble to get on the guest list was what Biba must have been like. I liked the illustration of the shoe best - it reminded me of the Rene Gruau cards I had picked up in Harrods the other day. I wanted to speak to Barbara but there was an even bigger queue to get to her than there was to try stuff on, and when I weighed up the queues, I didn't really have anything that bright to say. The life of the light headed shopper is a tricky one. One day I must get a grown up job.

2009-04-21T21:36:00.001+01:00

I started with a jog - not through choice - but I didn't have the excess energy to argue with my friend as she rang on the doorbell this morning. I felt like the female version of Simon Pegg in Run Fat Boy Run - and I was only trying to get to the end of the road a mere eyelash compared to a marathon. Shudder. I am so impressed by the people I know who are doing it this weekend... I unfortunately wrote a book called How To Walk In High Heels so can only imagine some sparky PR suggesting I do it in heels. NO.

Once my pulse returned the jogger showed me how she had been leaping about in a leotard under Eros. No seriously. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLj5zphusLw

All the Single Ladies - all 100 of them. Well Eros can't have known where to look let alone fire.

2009-04-20T18:35:00.001+01:00

I have just been sent a love box - it is full of the most beautiful, precious pieces of a thoughtful mind. There is a book on flowers, a George Sands Classic, an original Ladybird book and two packets of Kisses (chocolates!)... and all a total surprise. Well that is one way to start the week.

Went to a wedding - sorry THE wedding at the weekend - where the bride looked like a real life angel and the groom had a smile so wide the cherry blossom and guests seemed to be sprinkled with stardust... I don't know why I had turned the whole of Covent Garden upside down as to what to wear... A few Ginger Cocktails in and no one would have known. It is a difficult task dressing for a wedding. I like black, but this is the day to give black the day off. BUT when the black dress is an Alaia it is a hard call. However after going to every underwear store I could think of the backless Purple Jil Sander seemed to be a rather big stress (with its one stitch holding it in place). So - ever practical - I bought a 99 icecream and went home via a new pair of Manolos - in lavendar suede. It might be a credit crunch but there is no point being miserable AND down at the heel... Manolos lift the soul - and are the perfect plus one when stepping out on your own.

2009-04-14T18:00:00.000+01:00

There has been an appalling lapse in my blogging... Would you believe me if I said I couldn't find the password and couldn't remember how to access? Well, that is true, but also I got caught up in the whirl of fashion, life, travel and not having the right shoes...

Now I am back. My brief affair with Twitter seemed to confirm to twit was a twits game.

I have sent out requests for the new book, and I am starting to chase these. Starting a book is like starting to tidy your room or do something you would rather avoid. There are lots of things I can and will do to delay for as long as possible.

For example there is the weather and the dressing dos and don'ts this presents, the excess of easter and the relief that layering and lycra is in, and that finally I can see - now that Sam Mc has cut my hair.

Running out of excuses. Better go feed the cat.

2009-02-26T13:19:00.000Z

How can it be Thursday when I was intending to do this every day of Fashion Week?!??!

I was blogging like a maniac on www.modelinia.com and doing my how to get through fash week guide and then neglected you.

Well, I neglected you less than the twittering that had to end mid week. My mobile couldn't do it and I couldn't cope (or honestly see the point).

Just about to dash to lunch but didn't want to leave you for so long.

I will send links to my show musings and will talk about Stephen Jones later.

I must start my new books. Today I had the windows measured in the office. So many ways to avoid knuckling down. Off to see He's Just Not That into You tonight. Believe me I could have told you this for free...

2009-02-21T15:22:00.000Z

Check out www.modelinia.com I am going to be blogging for them from the shows... and I am going to try and not neglect my own dot dot com.... I am afraid though I am one of the last people in the world to not own a Blackberry or iphone... Like to play a bit hard to get, but sometimes I think I am too good at playing hard to get.... Got the shoes and hat sorted for Stephen Jones' opening... only debate is the dress - pink hat, pink shoes - pink dress or LBD? Galliano or Alaia? Must get the straight mans opinion....

2009-02-21T15:19:00.000Z

London Fashion Week has started... drove past the tents today. I then got totally distracted by a picture of a pair of Manolos and ended up in his store... Well looking the part is all part of the parcel. I don't know why anyone ever goes anywhere else. Cinderella stop here.

Must get out to the exhibition and have a look at the stands - I like doing this early at the weekend as there are always so so many more aisles than you'd think.

I hope that London is hungry, creative, buzzing... I remember when I was a student I would plot and plan and build up for this week for months... You know blagging in was half the buzz of going... I wonder how many people are blagging it this year. They are the ones I want to watch...

2009-02-18T23:10:00.000Z

made my requests for fashion week. hate that part. its like asking to go to a wedding and you know you shouldn't do that.... but if you wait to be asked what if they don't?? and what if you really do have to sit next to the ugly step sister or worse a spiteful editor??! Its no wonder people rather watch it on the web... I might keep some of the painkillers I got from my teeth extraction for Paris. The need may be great.

Just watched the Brits. Where did all these bands come from? As for the clothes. Blip.

Count Down to Stephen Jones opening... I went and bought an Alaia dress in case I don't fit in the proposed Galliano sample when it arrives... can you imagine??

2009-02-17T17:25:00.001Z

Love the blatant disregard for the credit what in NY - Thakoon sent fur flying in all shades and Marc seems to be doing some Transvision Vamp remake... Its all about restyling the recession. Not sure this Confessions of a Shopaholic really knows the meaning of splurge...and before you shake your fist at me don't... I am an observer...

2009-02-17T17:21:00.000Z

love conquers all things except poverty and toothache... so said Mae West... she's right about the tooth ache. But drawing a veil over this (quite literally a Stephen Jones one...) its all about hats.

Went to Great Queen Street to pick a fondant fancy for his V&A opening Monday night. Went thinking Marie Antoinette, left with what is going to have to be a modern spin on Barbara Cartland... eck gads.... No - its GORGEOUS - by name and by design and will go marvellously with the spring summer Galliano dress I have borrowed...

Its hard work being Fabulous - to quote - which seems odd - Victoria Beckham - but truth be told I quite agree... Why be shy ????

2009-02-16T19:17:00.000Z

There is a strange mist around fashion week at the moment - maybe its because I am not there - maybe its because I am a lot of painkillers but the new season seems very far away. Time to start a new book project I think. I haven't actually written one in a few years. Editing just seems to be endlessly tweaking and trimming.

Eastenders about to start. Better stop. Priorities.

2009-02-16T19:16:00.003Z

New York Fashion Week. Thakoon, Marc, and I am sat in bed with a jaw full of stitches, brilliant timing to get the wisdom teeth out this week....